Lindsay's Lobes

Friday, December 8

Jamie Diamond caused a stir in September when he
claimed bitcoin as a fraud although he did commend the block chain technology which facilitates not only the use of Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, but has many other applications. Block chain is regarded by many as a brilliant technology which will
revolutionise the way business is conducted.

Someone asked me yesterday at a luncheon celebrated with former workmates how to explain it and
although I am no expert here is how I would attempt a simple explanation. Maybe
the first thing you need to understand is how the age old universally accepted
Double Entry Accounting concepts work. In a nutshell the principle of double
entry recognises the reality there is always two sides to every transaction, so
there is always a seller and a buyer, a receipt to add to one account and a
corresponding reduction in another’s indebtedness and so on.

Now replace that double entry principle with double
entry block chain accounting. That’s because block chain accounting at
the outset facilitates transactions between two pairs, a buyer and a seller or
a receipt and payment or one virtual wallet increasing whilst another deceases.
It happens virtually instantaneously because those in the encrypted chain using
cryptocurrencies to record the transactional
effects at the same time. Think of it as giant ledger in cyber space where all
the debits equal to the credits of the linked parties from the aggregate of
parties’ transactions at any given time in the block chain. Parties hold
the Cryptocurrencies in so called wallets and the largest of these is
Bitcoin.

Hence, there is no need for 3rd party
clearing houses or back office staff to facilitate large numbers of bundled
same type transactions for subsequent settlements which mostly occurs to
day.

I think financial institutions will eventually begin
to use more of the Block chain technology which will mean the adoption of either a digital cryptocurrency or a similar substituted means to
do that. After all cryptocurrencies are no more than bits of code. But
eventually such facilities will have to have some form of regulation for what
it is as an alternative more efficient system of settling business
transactions. But even given eventual regulation not everyone is
going to be happy trusting in the integrity of a new technology and we all will
have to have a new breed of technologically savvy auditors to check the
integrity of the Block chain providers.

In relation to Bitcoin there are currently several
Hedge Funds which have bought large holdings which of course have gone up
exponentially due to the rapid rise in this Cryptocurrency. Such rises are
underpinned by pure speculation as no one can put a value on this
Cryptocurrency which is responding to a rapid demand when there is currently
only a limited supply.

But Cryptocurrencies are no different
to traditional currencies which appreciate or depreciate according to supply
and demand. But the important
distinction of course is currently they are unregulated by any central banks
and have attracted criminal activity as it is much harder to ascertain
transactional records.

The question of trading in Bit Coin is
facilitated by on line platforms such as Coinbase which provides a market. The facility allows for buying, selling or transfer of digital currency between online wallets involving merchants
or individuals. Currently the facility is free of charges and such facilitators claim they provide both security
and backups.

Nevertheless there has already been some bogus websites where
the holdings of digital currencies have vaporised without trace.

On the question of Bitcoin being a bubble
set to burst that in turn depends more on whether or not merchants will continue to accept them. Microsoft
and Pay Pal already accept Bitcoin under their platforms.

The total size of the traditional
market dwarfs that of the Cryptocurrencies suggesting it may well have further
to run. But when it finally crashes don’t rule out another version rising from
the ashes.

Thursday, November 16

Adiemus is the title to non-lyrical
vocalization’s featuring a harmonized melody. It might be thought of as a made
up language. It is the invention of Welsh composer Karl Jenkinswho created
this new age concept designed not to distract an audience’s attention by changes
in pitch or timber so that syllables rarely end in consonants. Remarkably, it
was first written to support an ad for Delta Airlines. This welsh school choir would have had a lot of fun learning the music and what a great presentation. Just to illustrate how it works here are some extract of the
Lyrics

Wednesday, November 8

Should it be of interest Anglican Minster and scientist Rupert Sheldrake gives a fascinating interview on his very credible theory on Morphic Resonance hosted by Under Your Skin.

Dubbed “the most controversial scientist on Earth” Rupert Sheldrake joins the host to discuss the dogmas within conventional science, the evolving laws of physics, memory in nature, and how science validates and improves spiritual practices.

For anyone interested in an alterative to the materialistic mind set this is a must read.

However, I should make the point Morphic Resonance is not accepted by large sections of the scientific community who claim it is pseudoscience. Notwithstanding, I find his approach refreshingly engaging and his arguments are all well supported. It has long been my objective from the first time I began blogging to discover credible links between religion and science which were oft seen as having irreconcilable differences. These discussions help bridge that gap.
Increasingly his views, I believe, will gain traction because they represent a more credible philosophy than those predicated purely on a materialistic world.

Saturday, October 14

Our next concert for the aged care centre involving just the five of us will include medleys with a musical wild west theme whilst others have a repetitive chorus we hope will entice the residents to join in. It only seems like yesterday I was in the Musical "Calamity Jane" (pictured above) nearly 40 years ago. The program is:Oklahoma Medley Calamity Jane medleyWalking in the Air Darling ClementineCampdown Races My Bonnie lies over the Ocean

Saturday, September 9

Today was our last day in Edinburgh visiting Holyrood Palace. Since we head home tomorrow morning, as a final posting, I thought it appropriate to attempt a brief history of the kingdom.

Prehistoric Scotland was dominated by the Pics which I commented upon in the post on St Andrews and whose people originally migrated from Central Europe. In AD 83 the Romans defeated the Pics but their rule was never consolidated and after their withdrawal Scotland reverted to tribal rule. The Pics ruled the Orkney islands and down to the Forth, whose current archeological diggings indicate a rich heritage and considerable influence as depicted in the earlier posting on the Island. But it was the Scots who emerged to shape the nation as it is now known. It was an Irish Scot, Columba,who brought Christianity to the nation and conversion of the Pics. But a battle ensued with the Dalriadic Pics until the warring tribes were finally united under the house of Alpin.

Friday, September 8

The earliest historic reference to Scottish kings belongs to Kenneth mac Alpin who became king of the Scots in the ninth century. Inauguration was marked by placing his foot into a carved shape into a rock. There was no further information until 1249 when King Alexander 111 was entroned on the Stone of Scone bearing a crown, sword and sceptre. Hence it is assumed that these items were used at the coronation of King David 11 and the first Stewart King, Robert 11(1371-1390) who founded a dynasty which ruled Scotland for the next 300 years.

Tuesday, September 5

The first 5 photos were taken at Hill House at Helenburgh which was designed by Architect-Artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) who took his inspiration from Scottish traditions and blended them with the flourish of Art Nouveau and the simplicity of Japanese forms. The next photo reminds us of our visit to a nearby Aquarium to see the marine life of the Loch. The last photo is the view from our room.

Sunday, September 3

It was a glorious sunny today on the Isle of Mull when we visited Duart Castle which in addition to being an ancient fort, is the historic home of the Chiefs of Clan Maclean. The Macleans acquired Duart in the 1350's in recognition of their support for the Lord of the Isles. The Castle has been the location for many movies inclusive of the 1969 movie "WHEN EIGHT BELLS TOLL" starring Anthony Hopkins.

Sir Lachlan Maclean and his wife currently occupy part of the castle and the trust created by the Clan have contributed significantly over the years to its restoration. Later we took the short ferry trip to the Island of Iona where we visited the ruins of Iona nunnery and the Abby which was the destination of large scale pilgrimages for 1200 years. The monastery was founded by St Columba in 563.

Pictured below in order are the Castle and on Iona the ruins of the Nunnery, the Abby and the beautiful colours of the bay.

About Me

I have worked in the roles as Company Secretary or Divisional financial executive with larger Australian based multinational companies before changing careers in favour of sales and marketing for the latter 12 years of business life.
My particular interests include corporate social responsibility, ethics and research into more sustainable business practices.
I am a fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate member of the Governance Institute of Australia which was previously called the Chartered Secretaries Australia. I am chairman of the Malawi Support group who are a small group of catholic parishioners who raise funds to support a sister parish in Malawi.